Question about practice CATs

This topic has expert replies
Newbie | Next Rank: 10 Posts
Posts: 3
Joined: Fri Jun 04, 2010 5:30 am

Question about practice CATs

by qiaoshiya » Fri Jun 04, 2010 5:39 am
I took the first GMATPrep Practice CAT (from the free software on mba.com) and scored a 730, but I took Knewton's diagnostic test and scored a 630. Is one of these tests a better gauge of expected performance than the other? Or maybe the average of the two would be a better indication? I'm just starting the GMAT journey, so I haven't done much research on this. I don't personally know anyone who has taken the test. Otherwise, I would ask them. Beatthegmat.com, you're my only hope! =)

I suspect (and hope hope hope!) that Knewton's diagnostic is artificially difficult to decrease the likelihood of people being able to get the refund from their money back guarantee. Any thoughts on this? In any case, I purchased their course. I need some serious practice!
Source: — GMAT Strategy |

User avatar
Community Manager
Posts: 1537
Joined: Mon Aug 10, 2009 6:10 pm
Thanked: 653 times
Followed by:252 members

by papgust » Fri Jun 04, 2010 6:30 am
GMATPrep is the most and best accurate indicator of your actual score. The GMATPrep comes from the test makers of GMAT (GMAC). GMATPrep's scoring algorithm is exactly the same as actual GMAT's scoring. So, don't worry too much about knewton's score. You are doing really well in GMATPrep and looks like you are due for a 700+ score in actual GMAT.

Good luck!
Download GMAT Math and CR questions with Solutions from Instructors and High-scorers:
https://www.beatthegmat.com/download-gma ... 59366.html

-----------

GO GREEN..! GO VEG..!

Daily Quote:
"Stop feeling sorry for the Butcher if you had to go Veg. The butcher can find another job but the poor animal cannot get back its life"

GMAT/MBA Expert

User avatar
Master | Next Rank: 500 Posts
Posts: 384
Joined: Sun Nov 01, 2009 9:54 am
Location: Paris
Thanked: 92 times
Followed by:13 members

by Dan@VinciaPrep » Fri Jun 04, 2010 7:04 am
papgust wrote:GMATPrep is the most and best accurate indicator of your actual score. The GMATPrep comes from the test makers of GMAT (GMAC). GMATPrep's scoring algorithm is exactly the same as actual GMAT's scoring. So, don't worry too much about knewton's score. You are doing really well in GMATPrep and looks like you are due for a 700+ score in actual GMAT.

Good luck!
I think Papgust is right in saying that GMATPrep is probably the better indicator. From what my students have gotten on the test, and from what I've seen on websites the GMATPrep test is perhaps the best indictor of what score you're going to get. That said, GMAC states that the test is not make to predict your actual score on test day in its disclaimer. Furthermore, its possible (but somewhat unlikely) that you got lucky. Since you're score probably isn't going to improve that much don't waste teh other GMATPrep test. Use Manhattan's tests to get an idea of where you're at and then right before the test use the GMATPrep tests again.
If my post helped you- let me know by pushing the thanks button ;)

I'm a private tutor in Paris, I provide online and in person consulting for the GMAT and MBA application essays.
GMAT tutor paris
Prepa GMAT

Newbie | Next Rank: 10 Posts
Posts: 3
Joined: Fri Jun 04, 2010 5:30 am

by qiaoshiya » Mon Jun 07, 2010 6:19 am
Thanks for the info, guys!

User avatar
GMAT Instructor
Posts: 85
Joined: Thu Aug 13, 2009 5:43 pm
Location: New York City
Thanked: 18 times
Followed by:1 members

by josh@knewton » Mon Jun 07, 2010 6:35 am
qiaoshiya,

Thanks for your note, and your interest in Knewton!

Sounds like you've got some great scores on practice tests. Our test are designed with a great deal of care in order to mimic your experience -- and your performance -- on test day. With that said, you may have answered a few less difficult questions incorrectly early in the test; this can be damaging to your score on any GMAT.

Please let me know if you have any other questions!

Thanks,
Josh
Josh Anish
Senior Editor, Knewton
https://www.knewton.com